All great architects probably spent their early years playing with Lego while artists and jewellers spent time creating works of art using beads and pastels.Unfortunately, we’re not all talented and capable of producing works of art, but there is one thing we all possess — imaginations. Emerging technologies such as 3D printers will allow anyone to bring their ideas to life.No longer are printers used to replicate flat one-dimensional document, but can assist us in bringing our wildest ideas to life. It’s difficult to put into words the concept of a 3D printer but put simply, it is the production of a physical item that has dimension such as a shoe, ring, or game piece and these items can be constructed of single or multiple pieces.There are two companies leading the pack in the development and evolution of these devices and both are helping bring artwork, furniture designs and live-saving tools to life.Although 3D Systems (http://printin3d.com) and Makerbot (www.makerbot.com) have very different philosophies on market positioning and consumer experience, they are both wildly successful and innovative.3D Systems is the more established of the two and their devices have been instrumental of the production of devices such as teeth alignment tools, inner ear hearing aids to parts found in our vehicles.It is their position that using their products and services is no more complicated than using a colouring book. For those that want designs made of specific materials not yet available for use with their printers, they offer cloud based production services.Their designing tool is similar to the program we all know as AutoCAD and their competitor Makerbot suggests consumers use Google Sketch Up with their product.Makerbot is the younger, trendier of the two companies and although their product may not be as sleek as that of their competitor their inclusive approach will surely appeal to many. Thingiverse (http://www.thingiverse.com) is their idea sharing site and provides examples of how others have used their 3D printers.Any of the designs found can be used but be sure to read all relevant terms and conditions that speak to ownership of patents and copyright laws if you intend to mass produce ideas.Miles Lightwood an “artist in residence” at Makerbot is currently leading an initiative dubbed ‘Project Shelter’, which is currently developing and testing prototypes of hermit crab shells in house. The goal is to produce a design that can be used in the wild to provide much needed housing for these creatures.Once a successful prototype has been identified, the actual housing (shells) be made from an appropriate material.Imagine having one of these machines at a school and how interactive learning and design can be incorporated into a curriculum. Science teachers and their students will be able to produce replicas of body parts and art students can translate ideas from their sketch pads into a physical object that they can hold, the options are limitless; all that is required is some imagination.Project models will become virtual works of art and the level of detail they will be able to achieve will be far beyond what they are able to produce today.If all of this seems a bit Star Trek-ish, I assure you that both the pricing and availability of these devices will be within reach of the average consumer in the very near future.We’d love to know what topics you’d be interested in learning more about, so e-mail us at TechBuzz@btc.bm